What Is an IP Tracker?

An IP tracker is a software application that reads and converts an IP address into its host name. An IP tracker also provides location and other information pertaining to the IP address, depending on how the software is configured.

An IP tracker accesses publicly accessible information related to a host name and scans different open databases to collect information such as telephone numbers and mailing addresses. Some IP trackers such as website visitor trackers collect user location data for sales campaigns, consumer analysis and business performance studies. While an IP tracker displays approximate user location, this is not always precise as Internet service providers do not release user-specific information without a court order.